Nanostructured Platinum-Free Catalysts of Oxygen Reduction based on Metal Chalcogenide Cobalt Clusters

Nanostructured catalysts were synthesized by deposition of cobalt selenide and telluride on highly dispersed carbon black from solutions of corresponding metal chalcogenide clusters. The catalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The electroreduction of oxygen at these catalysts is accompanied by consumption of four electrons. The catalysts were shown to be tolerant to methanol.